A recent study conducted in Finland and published in the Scandinavian Journal of Psychology suggests that individuals with a strong alignment to social justice values—often termed as ‘wokeness’—may be more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and unhappiness. While the findings resonate with some, others argue the study’s cultural and societal implications reflect deeper issues of systemic oppression rather than individual pathologies.
The study, authored by Finnish psychologist Oskari Lahtinen, surveyed Finnish individuals, but Lahtinen noted that “the scale was designed to be used and validated in other Western and possibly other populations as well.” He acknowledged the American roots of ‘woke’ discourse, which draws from dynamics within American society, including critical social justice and intersectionality.
The research findings quickly became a subject of political discourse. Eric Kaufmann, a Canadian politics professor, posed the question: “Do progressive ideas make people unhappy, or are unhappy people drawn to the cultural Left?” However, critics of such interpretations argue that the focus should be on the oppressive conditions that foster progressive ideas rather than on the mental health of the individuals subscribing to them.
Supporters of social justice values argue that a greater awareness of systemic injustices and historical oppression is inherently painful but necessary. They point out the long history of American culture denying the mental impact of systemic oppression, citing instances from the pathology of slaves’ desire for freedom to misdiagnoses of mental health in African Americans during Jim Crow.
The study’s results have led to debates over whether the mental health impacts are a result of holding ‘woke’ values or whether they are a reaction to the systemic issues those values aim to address. The study observed that participants with the highest levels of anxiety and depression often had political leanings towards the left. Lahtinen clarified, “As the study was cross-sectional, I make no determination about causality in either direction, or whether a third variable causes the association between political views and mental health.”
The findings also noted a gender disparity, with sensitivity to social justice being twice as high in women as in men. The study states, “Overall, men rejected every critical social justice item on the scale, whereas women expressed support for half and rejected half.”
This study sparks a broader conversation on mental health and societal values. Previous research in the European Union found that people are happier in nations that prioritize social justice. Historical attempts to quantify happiness and well-being, such as Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness Index, suggest that societal structures and values significantly impact overall happiness.
In juxtaposition, the study offers an opportunity to reflect on the interplay between political orientation, societal injustice, and personal well-being. It invites a nuanced discussion around whether and how the pursuit of a more just society affects individual happiness and mental health.
Relevant articles:
– Wokeness might set you free. No one said it would make …, Religion News Service, 6 days ago
– Study Links Prenatal Antipsychotic Exposure to Developmental Delays and ADHD, , Mad in America, April 02, 2024
– Study links ‘woke’ attitudes to higher anxiety levels, , Malay Mail, March 27, 2024
– Terrible Study Finds “Woke” People are Depressed, , Skepchick, March 26, 2024